e direction of the forecastle,
the sound of their footsteps dying away among the other noises of the
boat.

Here was food for thought. But, then, the man was exceeding drunk. And
his companion, who probably knew him well, paid no attention to his
words. However, Pats took a look about the boat when he got on deck. The
pilot and second officer were in the wheelhouse, both silent, serious,
and attending to their duty. The watches were all at their posts and the
_Maid of the North_ was ploughing bravely through the night as if
she, at least, had no misgivings. By the time Pats went to bed, an hour
later, the drunken sailor was forgotten.

It was a long time before he slept; and the sleep, when it came, was
fitful. Perhaps he had brooded too much over his fall from grace. As the
night wore on he was not sure, half the time, whether he was dreaming or
awake. And so eventful were his slumbers, and so real the events
therein, that his dreams and his waking moments became painfully
intermingled. As, for instance, when he entered the cathedral. For a
moment he stood still, overcome by its vastness and by the size of the
congregation. Truly an imposing assemblage! And the great edifice was
ablaze with light. A wedding, apparently, for there, before the altar,
stood the bride, awaiting the groom.

As Pats sauntered up the nave she turned about and smiled. And, lo! it
was Miss Marshall, more beautiful than ever, more stately and more
patrician, if possible, than in her travelling dress. For now she was
all in white with a long veil--and orange blossoms. She smiled at him
and beckoned.

Yes! He was to be the groom! It was for him they waited!

He strove to get ahead. His feet refused to budge. The harder he tried,
the tighter he stuck. He opened his mouth to explain, but no sound came
forth. Again and again he tried. Again and again he failed. The huge
congregation began to murmur and he could hear them whispering, "What a
fool!"

Then, from behind him came three men: Billy Townsend, the man with the
nose, and the other fellow with the flowers. They walked by him, easily,
all in wedding array, and they lined up by the bride. Pats tried to
raise his voice and stop it, but in vain. The Pope stepped forward and
performed the ceremony, uniting them all in marriage. The four bowed
their heads and received a blessing.

And when the happy grooms with their bride came down the main aisle,
they gave Pats a look,--a look so triumphan